Correlates of Self-Reported and Functional Understanding of Nutrition Labels across 5 Countries in the 2018 International Food Policy Study

Abstract

Background: Nutrition labels on prepackaged foods are an important source of nutrition information; however, differences in comprehension of varying label formats can limit their use and effectiveness.

Objectives: This study examined levels and correlates of consumers' self-reported understanding of Nutrition Facts tables (NFts) and front-of-package (FOP) labels, as well as functional NFt understanding.

Methods: Adults (≥18 y) in Australia (n = 3901), Canada (n = 4107), Mexico (n = 4012), the United Kingdom (n = 5121), and the United States (n = 4445) completed online surveys in November/December 2018. Descriptive statistics summarized sample profiles by country. Linear regression models examined the association between label understanding (self-reported NFt and FOP, functional NFt) and consumer dietary behaviors, functional nutrition knowledge, and sociodemographic characteristics. NFt understanding was measured in all countries, with FOP labeling assessed only in Mexico, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

Results: Self-reported and functional NFt understanding was significantly higher in the United States and Canada (P < 0.0001). In adjusted analyses, functional NFt understanding was significantly higher among women compared to men (P < 0.0001); respondents from the "majority" ethnic group in their respective countries compared with minority ethnic groups (P < 0.0001); those with higher education levels (P < 0.0001) and functional nutrition knowledge compared with their lower education and nutrition knowledge counterparts (P < 0.0001), respectively; and those making efforts to consume less sodium, sugar, or fat compared with those not reporting dietary efforts (P < 0.0001). Self-reported FOP label understanding was significantly higher for interpretive labeling systems in Australia (health star ratings) and the United Kingdom (traffic lights) compared with Mexico's Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs) (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions: Nutrition labels requiring greater numeracy skills (i.e., NFts, GDAs) were more difficult for consumers to understand than interpretive FOP labels (i.e., traffic lights). Differences in NFt and FOP label understanding by income adequacy and education suggest potential disparities in labeling policy effects among vulnerable subgroups.

Keywords: consumer understanding; food labeling policy; front-of-package label; international; nutrition facts table; nutrition label.

FIGURE 1

Food labels by country in the International Food Policy Study survey.

FIGURE 2

Self-reported understanding of Nutrition Facts tables (NFts) and front-of-package (FOP) labels, by country. Participants rated their level of label understanding, where 1 = very hard to understand, 2 = hard to understand, 3 = neither hard or easy to understand, 4 = easy to understand, and 5 = very easy to understand. Mean levels of self-reported understanding are shown with 95% CIs. For NFt understanding, all cross-country differences in means are statistically significant (P < 0.001) with the exception of the United Kingdom compared with Mexico. For FOP label understanding, all cross-country differences in means are statistically significant (P < 0.001).